Transportation: The promise of maglev: Tests will continue with a high-speed vehicle and track incorporating a linear motor

A magnetically levitated railway vehicle that would whisk 200 to 600 passengers between cities at up to 400 km/h is being developed in West Germany. The government has put its research and development money on a train that moves without touching the tracks. This paper discusses the advantages of such a system and its construction. These include track flexibility, linear motor formed by vehicle and track, sensors to control vehicle suspension, and linear generator for on-board power. The vehicle's economic competitiveness and favourable energy use are indicated.